Andia (from In Your Dreams) is a true artist, thriving in musical experimentalism, looking for new horizons to discover. I personally find her uncompromising songs cathcing on with larger and larger audiences interesting. She took the time to share her thoughts with Music Authentic. It’s an interesting read!
And while you are at it, listen to Andia’s Wide as Deep!
Music Authentic: How did you sleep last night?
Andia: Solidly! A day at the studio takes a lot of energy!
Music Authentic: These are changing and challenging times. Where do you usually gain strength?
Andia: By keeping fit and focused on my career – same as usual!
Music Authentic: How do you think your life will be in a few years from now on?
Andia: I will have built on the foundations I already set, and use the momentum gained for a sustainable income from my music.
Music Authentic: How do you feel about the different hats you need to wear for your art?
Andia: Different well defined skill sets are absolutely required: from music video creation/editing to tracking music to mixing and producing to organic promotion. I do it all. There are firm lines. The end result is all in line with a single vision. Quite intuitive once one gets down to it.
Music Authentic: OK, so, here is a question I tend to ask these days quite often. Would you rather live on the Earth in 20 years or be the part of the first Mars colony?
Andia: Earth! As much as I’d like to be a Mars colonist, I feel that there’s work to be done here. There will be many benevolent tech advances in that time which will help mankind, and a shift in global mentality..hopefully a more mature outlook..which the upcoming generation will promote. They will have a lot of work to do!
Music Authentic: Have you ever felt promoting turns you into a merchant?
Andia: It is all about connecting one on one, 1st hand, with people. It’s not like a door to door salesperson though. They operate in a ‘cold calling’ manner in any given neighborhood. The circles I move in have seen me around (hopefully) or have recommended me by word of mouth. Saying that, In order to grow, I need to pick up interest from people that haven’t seen or heard about me… those curious people should be turned into early adopters, and one or two into superfans, over time.
Music Authentic: Are concept albums really over? Many says keep pushing single only and frequently.
Andia: Concept albums are here to stay! It’s all part of telling a story. The two co-exist in parallel. My artistry is based on concepts. They still tell a story, but in an unusual, original authentic way. It’s like nothing you’ve heard before, but it’s still music, and therefore familiar: I’m not saying it’s so ‘out there’ or avant garde that it’s a specialist only taste – it is accessible and immediate.
Music Authentic: Which superhero character would you play?
Andia: Rachel McAdams: Detective Ani Bezzerides in True Detectives (2014) She is one tough cookie. Not a classic superhero, but intelligent, tenacious and brave. She fought the highest ranking nefarious secret culture by going undercover as a call girl, and was almost killed doing so…before she killed her hostile attacker in return, exposing the crime ring with all its high level participants. I identify with her strength of character and moral compass. (I am a trans woman)
Music Authentic: Nowadays, the frames of so-called „traditional” values are falling apart in families, relationships, business… What characteristics should be valid to them?
Andia: They are? A family unit should still thrive in modern times. As should a sound relevant business idea. The uprooting of societal values due to fake news and political propaganda has taken a toll, sure. At the base of any community structure should be a nurturing, supportive eco system. That shouldn’t ever change. Tradition should be questioned, sure, and any inherent inequalities under that name should be addressed and put in-line with re-aligned proven core values and adjusted to suit. Gone are the days of mindlessly adhering to tradition. They probably had a fair few faults engineered in as by product of that era.
Music Authentic: What things would be the greatest achievements for you through your art?
Andia: To be recognised as an innovator and original creator in music
Music Authentic: Which artist do you recommend to listen to from the past or the contemporary era and why?
Andia: The 90s (golden era) band Prong, the minimalist metal band that defined a sound that is still with us today (and I’m friends with the drummer Ted Parsons too). As for contemporary artists, it would either be KJ Sawka of Pendulum, Mark Guilana (drummer, played on David Bowies last ever album) or Jojo Mayer, the drum n bass legend of drummers!
Music Authentic: What would be the most crucial to begin a change with if you were the Prime Minister?
Andia: To pass legislation making stream royalties fairer for indie artists. Right now we are living in a dystopian world where corporations hold too much power!
Music Authentic: What important project you are working on these days?
Andia: My own artist career! It’s been 5yrs in the making and this is where it really takes off: 2 songs into season II of IYD with a constant release campaign and things are looking very promising!
Music Authentic: Whose story had a great effect on your life?
Andia: Probably the greatest has been reading Iain M Banks culture novels. Consider Phlebas to start, and now I’m re-reading the whole series. Massive effect on me.
Music Authentic: Do you use your stage as a platform to help out others?
Andia: Yes. I am a trans woman, a singing drummer that is self produced and released. In that respect I put myself up/out there to inspire others, both cis artists and the LGTBQ artists to go out and get it!
Music Authentic: What do you think the hardest challenges are in society these days?
Andia: Negotiating all the fake news in social media, keeping ones head on and staying true to ones art.
Music Authentic: How do you like spending your pastime?
Andia: Snow kiting! I tried kite surfing on water but I’m a self-confessed worst ever! On snow with a surf kite and a snow board I can hit it hard 🙂 Lots of action, danger and fun!
Music Authentic: Do you have a farewell message to the readers?
Andia: Always be genuine, don’t follow the crowd just because it’s easy, and listen to your own inner voice.